HSA Achieves Further Funding for Professional Development

A total of $12 million has been made available to health science professional members over four years

Speaking to delegates at HSA’s annual convention in Vancouver, President Kane Tse today announced the union has secured another $3 million to support professional development training for members covered by the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association Collective Agreement. The new funding will be available to members in September.

This is the fourth time HSA has achieved this additional funding through work with BC Health Minister Adrian Dix – for a running total of $12 million -- to support members seeking to further their expertise and advance their careers.

“The ink is barely dry on the new contract for health science professionals,” said Tse, “but we haven’t stopped talking with the provincial government and the Ministry of Health about the need to do everything possible to address the critical shortages of specialized health workers. This funding is just one piece of the puzzle, but will help hundreds of health science professionals advance their skills for the benefit of their patients, their careers, and the health care system as a whole.”

Along with significant new pay increases negotiated for the 2022-2025 collective agreement, ongoing work to encourage new investment in training seats, and a comprehensive review of the classifications system starting this fall, the funding will support further specialization of skills in key professions, and is an important part of the urgent action needed to train, recruit, and retain specialized health professionals.

All health science professionals covered by the HSPBA collective agreement, which includes members of HSA, BCGEU, CUPE, PEA and HEU, will be eligible to apply to their requisite union when the 2023-2024 fund opens. Information about application process and timelines will be announced in the coming months.

Applications for the 2022-2023 fund are still in process because of high volume – HSA received over 1500 applications before pausing the program to ensure sufficient funds were available – but members who applied will be notified as soon as possible.